Southampton have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal for the capture of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for a fee of £25million, including add-ons.
The England international, 26, will undergo a medical with the newly promoted club on Thursday before completing a move to St Mary’s. Southampton have been trying to reinforce their goalkeeping unit this summer, with a deal for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow collapsing due to complications during medical tests.
However, the Saints perhaps will be happy to potentially land an experienced goalkeeper in Aaron Ramsdale, who spent three years at Bournemouth after joining from Sheffield United. After Bournemouth’s relegation, he returned to Sheffield United for the 2020/21 season.
The goalkeeper was named the Blades’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year after catching the eye with his performances in between the sticks in a season that ended in relegation for the Yorkshire-based club. Arsenal signed Ramsdale in the summer of 2021, and after becoming their No.1 for the next two seasons, he lost his place to David Raya last term. This resulted in him making just 11 appearances across all competitions—including six in the Premier League.
Aaron Ramsdale set to leave Arsenal for Southampton
Ramsdale returns to south coast after seven years, hoping to establish himself as a reliable pair of hands at Southampton. His former club Bournemouth were also interested in re-signing but instead moved to sign Spain international Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The five-cap England international, provided he passes the medical tests, will be hoping to walk straight into the Saints’ XI against Brentford on Saturday. Southampton boss Russell Martin was apparently eyeing an upgrade on Alex McCarthy after Southampton’s promotion to the top flight, and Ramsdale represents that.
The 26-year-old has earned solid top-flight experience across spells with Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Arsenal and he will be looking to make an instant impact at St Mary’s Stadium. His anticipated departure from the Emirates Stadium could trigger Arsenal’s move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joao Garcia.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
